This year, Sargent Metal Works brought two cars to the show field at the 75th Pebble Beach concours event in Pebble Beach, California.
The first car is a 1936 Bugatti t57 rolltop Atalante coupe owned by the Pearl Collection in Switzerland. This is a very rare and unique car designed by Ettore Bugatti to be a cross between a convertible and a coupe. Ettore designed the roll top reminiscent to an antique roll top desk. The large center section to the top retracts into a storage curl behind the seat when not up. There are 3 in the USA. Fritz picked up this car from the shop and drove it 3600 miles across the country to Pebble Beach, CA. We joined up with him in Pebble, and after cleaning the Bugatti, he showed the car Sunday. It received 2nd place in its class, as well as a Chairmans Trophy Award for its incredible driving feat.
The second car is a 1947 Lancia Austura body by Establement Farina, Cabriolet body designed by Giovanni Michelotti. This Lancia is one of two built and was shown at the Ville deste Concours, where it won Best of Show in 1947. A challenging, flamboyant, streamline car showing its radical design, as well as its clear Lucite dash knobs and steering wheel. Cloaked with wheel pants that raise up and are supported by springs and hinges; when down, they give the illusion that the car floats about the ground. Sadly, this wonderful, inspiring, mid-century masterpiece was misunderstood by the judging team at Pebble Beach and failed to garner a class award. The Lanica has been invited back to be shown at the Ville Deste in the future, where it is accepted and understood. We look forward to it reuniting in 2027; 80 years later!